How To Make The Mini Metal Foundry
How to make a simple backyard foundry for less than $20, for melting pop cans, and casting aluminum.
[✓] Clay Graphite Crucible: amzn.to/2bZ2ESu
[✓] Steel Pail: amzn.to/2bSuGAC
[✓] Plaster of Paris: amzn.to/2bZ0cf0
[✓] 2.5 Quart Bucket: amzn.to/2c0l3gk
[✓] 5 Quart Big Mouth Bucket: amzn.to/2bSvyoz
[✓] Heat Resistant Gloves: amzn.to/2bSv02d
[✓] 1-3/8” Hole Saw: amzn.to/2bSvo0z
[✓] 3” Hole Saw: amzn.to/2cib3kQ
[✓] 1” x 12” Steel Pipe: amzn.to/2cu3uGU
$5 OFF on Harry's shaving products. Coupon Code: THEKINGOFRANDOM bit.ly/Harrys5
Endcard Links:
Pop Can Metal Melting: goo.gl/pTP1uG
Secret Safe: goo.gl/r0K9jB
Acrylic Fire Piston: goo.gl/BSl8QT
Bottle Rockets: bit.ly/HomebrewBottleRockets
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WARNING:
Charcoal foundries can reach temperatures in excess of 1,000ºC, which is well above the melting point of hobbyists. This project should only be attempted with adequate knowledge and training, proper protective safety gear, and in a fire resistant area with adequate ventilation. The sparks flying from the foundry can ignite fires, and the fumes from burning dross can be toxic. Use caution and common sense. Use of this video content is at your own risk.
Music By: Scott & Brendo ("Feel It" - Instrumental) bit.ly/ScottBrendoiTunes
Project Inspired By:
This foundry is an original design, which comes after months of experimenting, and over 10 different prototypes. The functionality is founded on ideas I collected while searching the internet for different furnace designs.
Project History & More Info:
For this project I experimented with 10 different prototypes, to develop a reusable backyard foundry that melts aluminum soda cans easily and safely. I tested different refractory recipes, different containers, different setting for blowing air, and different types of makeshift crucibles.
I tried various ratios of portland cement, sand, perlite, plaster of paris, water, and even kitty litter. For containers, I experimented with clay pots, plastic buckets, no container, cinderblocks, and a galvanized steel pail.
I ended up favoring the galvanized steel pail, and a mix of 50% plaster of paris, and 50% play sand, by volume, which was inspired by a video by NightHawkInLight "How to Make a Soup Can Forge" bit.ly/IBSoupCanForge
Depending on where you get, or find, your materials the cost can range anywhere from $5-$25 per unit. With the materials I used, I was able to make 2 units for under $40 ($20 each). Even on the high end, this is probably one of the cheapest, reliable, backyard foundries that can be made.
I used mine to melt soda cans, and extract the aluminum for future metal casting projects. All the soda cans came from a local recycling depot. I bought back 30 lbs from the depot to avoid having to drink gallons and gallons of soda. :) I stored the ingots in various forms, which you can see in the video"Melting Cans With The Mini Metal Foundry" goo.gl/pTP1uG
The technique for making the sword in that video, and the gun in this video is called "Lost Foam Casting" and will be demonstrated in a future project video.
#tkor #thekingofrandom
This, this is the KZhead I miss.
I agree.😌
Same
Same, and now KZhead is just cheap clicks instead of great vids like this
Yeah...
me too
All these years later and i still remember all the steps as he lists them off, i always wanted to make this but never did cause i was like 12, but i will always remember him and his projects, he will always be the true King Of Random
So did you make it? Its never too late
I made it years ago and it lasts for 5 melts max. nostalgic, but not practical.
@@Kamal_AL-Hinai even with steel wool? he said in another video that it would last 10 times longer if you use that
i used to watch him as a kid too, i literally just made this waiting for everything to dry up rest in peace the legend himself 🙏
Being 12 hasn’t stopped me.
It's incredible how this video just popped up in my recommendations after all these years. I remember watching it when it first came out, and it inspired me to want to build something similar with my dad. Your influence on the whole DIY community on KZhead was truly amazing. Rest in peace, man.
He truly made my childhood entertaining. Rest in peace
True. This man had an nevereding curiosity and left an massive impact on youtube. His DIY videos were unlike any other.
Is this fella still around?
@@DavidWilliams-wr4wb he passed away from a paragliding accident years ago 😢
legend passing @@huanlecongquoc957
Hundreds of you have been asking for the tutorial, and here it is as promised. I'm still using mine frequently and must have melted thousands of soda cans by now :) Some people are asking for a tutorial on how to make the sword, so I'm putting that one on the list for the near future ;)
Thanks for the great tutorials Grant! One of the best channels on KZhead!
Grant can you make a video using the microwave mental melter? Cheers
I've been waiting so long for this. Tank you!
how do you depreasurize the extinginguisher
***** just activate it until the pressure meter go to the end of the red mark!
First video I watched of you RIP legend
Rest in peace
Same sad he’s gone
Yaruela same
Same
Absolute legend
One of my favorite videos. My condolences go out to his wife and kids. Rest in Peace man.
What happened to him?
@@TurboWorldHe passed away in 2019 from a gliding accident
@@digitalcthulhu143 oh man, that is terrible. Prayers to the ones he left behind.
Still breaks my heart every time I'm forced to remember 💔. It might sound cheesy but I doubt he ever realized just how much his simple, entertaining, and exciting videos worked to inspire the next generation of scientific minds by showing them how ANYONE with a bit of time, effort, and willingness to learn can use ordinary stuff around the house to make something extraordinary and useful
Oh man this weekend is going to be fun!!!
HOLY CRAP!!!.. Hi Brian.
kill1 Hi.
Brian cox Should have made it clear Hi Brian Brushwood.. lol.. But good on you
Lol ii knew u where subbed to this channel
Please tell me this comment has nothing to do with the video...
I'm watching this for about the tenth time but this time i'm siting next to all the materials ready to make this forge Finally !!!!
how much did it cost you total? he says less than $20 but everything he has listed is over $100
I think that $20 figure was just for the Plaster and Sand - which I found to be accurate :)
I just picked up plaster of pairis and play sand at home Depot, about $25... But he was only talking about those, not the bucket or anything else....
@burnt Rubber yeah, and I can't recall off the top of my head, but aluminum melts around or just above 1200°... I build a similar one, and with the slow burning bbq charcoal, it will still melt it, but I tried some straight coal, burns a lot hotter.
@burnt Rubber and the movement of air over the ember's makes it hotter too
Long live the king of random. Rest In Peace
Huh i get it long live the king
ツK̶e̶r̶m̶i̶t̶ツ dont
he’s not dead
@@abdulmihtren3110 Grant Thompson, the founder, *the* kind of random is sadly dead. It was a paragliding accident.
RIP
First video I watched from him and actually made this with my dad.. rip brotha
F
Just made one today, all this afternoon. While the cost of everything was actually like $100 for me since I was completely unprepared tool-wise, it worked amazingly and was surprisingly easy to make :)
Watching the first video I ever watched from him after his death. RIP
Bobby Smith same here
Bobby Smith same
Same rip
same
Is this guy really gone? What happened?
One of the first videos I ever watched, it is with immense dismay and sorrow that I say goodbye to this absolute legend, but I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes; "don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." -Dr Seuss
I first watched this video five years ago. Wow. That’s hard to believe. I’ve watched it dozens of times since then and I have finally made it. Grant you’ve been gone for a while now and my love goes out to you wherever you’ve found yourself in this stage of existence.
Just had to find this video and watch it one more time. Rest In Peace man. You really did change the diy community forever. Long live your legacy.
Imagine his 3 boys, they will forever be without a father. They loved him so much, imagine how they are feeling right now.
You guys have truly inspired me to start a hobby. I build my own foundry yesterday using the steel wool to reinforce. I melted down some scrap cans and other aluminium tonight to cast my first muffin ingots. This thing is a blast.
Has your hobby taken you much further, 3 years later?
@StrangeChickandPuppo yes. I have upgraded to a manufactured foundry and am now experimenting with making alloys like Nordic Gold.
@@mikenash1020does this crucible have many limitations to what it can smelt?
Still so sad by your passing. Your content was amazing, your personality was kind, and your legacy will never be forgotten. Thank you for years of quality content and fun 💙
First thing I ever made from his videos. Rest easy legend
What happened?
@@seth8128 he sadly passed away in a paragliding accident
Great project.
Ye
Love it. Made it. Works!!!!!! I did not bother with the pvc and just connected a hair dryer to the metal tube. I used the exact same measurements, you nailed it! Everyone who wants to repeat your success and has ZERO experience needs to follow your steps. I used a concrete mixer attachment on my drill and the mix came out great and gave me more time to form it before it set. Awesome video!
Careful your hairdryer dosnt get too hot. The pipe also helps keep your skin away from the hot pipe
+gamesdisk thanks for the tip. FLIR camera shows pipe at ambient next to the hair dryer and cool until insertion to kiln.
+meabn007 the pvc pipe is act like an isolator, so you better use it before your hairdryer turn off in the middle of working
+Primayoga Hogantara I find your lack of physics disturbing
meabn007 well according to my experience in the last couple of months that's what happen to me. but if you find it as a lack of physics maybe i'll read my book again. Thanks
After several years of procrastinating i finally got around to making this yesterday. I picked up a leaf blower for 10$ and used an old propane canister for my crucible. The leaf blower ended up being way too powerful so i rigged up a dimmer switch to an extension cord to tone it down some. Works awesome, love the tutorials, keep the videos coming.
RIP to this man. I’m doing this project this week so I thank him for the great idea.
Common materials in the Mini Metal Foundry [✓] Clay Graphite Crucible: amzn.to/2bZ2ESu [✓] Steel Pail: amzn.to/2bSuGAC [✓] Plaster of Paris: amzn.to/2bZ0cf0 [✓] 2.5 Quart Bucket: amzn.to/2c0l3gk [✓] 5 Quart Big Mouth Bucket: amzn.to/2bSvyoz [✓] Heat Resistant Gloves: amzn.to/2bSv02d [✓] 1-3/8” Hole Saw: amzn.to/2bSvo0z [✓] 3” Hole Saw: amzn.to/2cib3kQ [✓] 1” x 12” Steel Pipe: amzn.to/2cu3uGU
Why now
Does the mixture need to be exact? When I did it it never fully set and stayed damp.
Please let me know if you took any precautions with that galvanized steel bucket - the fumes I'm talking about. I wish to do this very same foundry but can only find galvanized steel such as in your post.
what do you uese for the blower
Did you have problems with the fire extinguisher crucible? I was planning on using one. My other option is to use a significantly thicker steel cup I made at work.
Thank you, Grant! A couple of friends and I decided to create your metal foundry, and it worked out great!
This was one of the first videos of his I ever watched. Now I’m watching it again, next to the stuff to build it.
2:55 so gently pry the bucket Proceeds to destroy the bucket vigorously
I just did it and it worked perfectly
Awesome, Grant! Thanks for the detailed tutorial!
Awesome! The way that you formed the plaster and sand lining was a really good idea and i love the addition of the lid! I need to make a new forge and my 5kg bucket of plaster of pairs arrived from ebay today! Cant wait to give this a go once the weather gets better. Also I don't know about your forge but after using mine it always stinks of sulfur. couldn't possibly use it as a plant pot!
The Art of Weapons The sulfuric smell comes from the plaster of paris as it decomposes and is heated to very high temperatures. I am not sure the exact temperature that it begins giving off the sulfuric smell though. For this reason, many people try to avoid using it as a refractory material and use a Portland cement, sand, and Fireclay mixture, which is more expensive, so there's a trade-off.
Hi the art of weapons (probably not your real name) I have been watching your videos for a while and me and my friend have made some slingshots from your tutorials and I just wanted to say that you are really good and keep it up
5 years ago.
I like these old types of videos better where he just kinda narrates
Way better than nates. Its just clickbate
Agreed
I used this video for instruction for a DFM project my sophomore year at college. RIP
Thank you for this very well done series. I used the foundry to reproduce a brass antique drawer pull. Many thanks.
That was 1 of the better DIY vids on you tube. I love the way this guys vocalizes the instructions very well, not much fluff... quick and well made vids. keep em coming... im a new subscriber.
I made this years ago, and just a few months ago I finally got a devil furnace but I still use both of them equally since this was my favorite project he ever did and he is the main reason I got into metal recycling at all.
One of my favorite videos he made. He was so passionate about it.
I took on this project today! It was a lot of work, but I was able to do it on the second try. My one suggestion is to pour the sand in the mixing bucket first, and then pour the Plaster of Paris. I had a lot of trouble evenly mixing the two ingredients when I did it the opposite way, and it ended up solidifying in the mixing pot before I could pour it. Overall, it was a lot of fun, and I look forward to using it. Thank you!
Robert Lewis water temperature plays a role also I accidentally use cold water for my frigerator and it took a lot longer than when I use warm sink water
It took longer to mix with cold water or to dry?
to dry
It's all about the chemistry.... Heat/energy affects stuff...
@@shawncrowson1048 thank you.
I have found that the fire extinguisher used in the video is extremely hard to come by. As a fellow engineer, I have found that a small acetylene torch tank will work.
Thanks!
Thank you
I was just thinking about the empty mapp gas tank sitting in the garage when I read your comment
Hey +James sorensen just use a steel flask which is from $1 - 10
make sure its empty first ;)
Finally made this yesterday. Used different refractory mix and a proper crucible but it worked great!
Me: *makes this and melts aluminum cans at home alone* Mom:*comes home from work* Me:* turns the foundry into a plant pot SNEAK 100
Lol
**flowers catch fire**
@@Sharknoob21 at those temps yeah I let mine sit out at least for a while because at those temps you can't just pour water on them.
"Son, why is that flower leaking molten aluminum and smoking?"
@@ri5ux435 It's smoking because it looks cool to smoke and all the mini foundries are doing it.
make video about how to make the sand molds
he´s doing it i guess
Its actually really easy just use the thick foam the comes in packages and shape it into what you want to mold then bury it in the sand a few inches from the top
Lyrik Tech dont spoil it for them
i guess im not sure^^"
Lyrik Tech yep, the mold evaporates when the metal is poured and takes it's place, and voila! The cast is formed
Finally! I'm calling in sick at work today to make one for myself. Cheers!
Just saw this great piece for the first time and wanted to respond only to be slapped in the face with this sad story of the demise of this gem. Rest in Peace great teacher. My heart is weighed down by this...
I made this 3 years ago. Great memories. May he Rest In Peace.
Hi,did the plaster crack at the time passes?
@@ridgidmaster9291 yes that’s bound to happen especially if u leave it in the rain or cold
@@ridgidmaster9291 from my experience at least
One of my favorite videos from you rip
l missed you buddy ....
same..
Same
I really love homemade crafts and this is no exception! I LOVED IT!!!!!
what I love is the steel bucket and frequently bought together are a clay graphite crucible and the flat bucket
This is my favorite ever and got me in to metal work thank you for inspiring me
Thank you so much for this. I’ve just melted my first aluminum cans
Just finished testing mine out I didn’t use the same steel bucket and ran into some ventilation issues but it works ok now I’m ready to start casting
His narration style was so lovable and soothing..Really missing this guy
Long live the King. RIP. May his legacy live on.
He isn’t dead he just in a better work shop
Made it. Worked very well ! Thanks from Australia !
Finally cave in and made one. Its really cool! Spent a bit more than what I thought but it's definitely an exciting build. Can't to start casting.
Rip, my friend you were the inspiration of many
I love the way you think on all your projects. You have opened my mind on EVERYTHING you do. WOW you have the best channel on you tube by far! Thank you and keep them coming. P.S made my own little BBQ out of a monster soda can. My friends were amazed how well it cooked.
I have to agree, Grant has amazing projects he truly the King of Random. Please keep them coming.
This man's videos are the best thank you !! Wow blown away with the awesomeness
I need to do all of his videos!!! seriously this is like the coolest thing I have ever seen including cooler than 3d printing!!! (Given you use this foundry with the foam and sand casting method). I would make parts for broken devices that are higher quality than the original!!!
Who else is watching in 2023
2024 lol 😂
Going to build one, got the exact items on the list and it came in just below $60 and that's provided you already have the hole saw, hair dryer and material to make crucible. Going to be a fun and useful project.
Type of energy to used when melting, coal or any hard wood
*Your work is outstanding, impeccable. Love it when you use another Gressel vice to fix the other*
This was the only project I had ever made, everytime I see it in the garage it reminds me of how much he changed my life.
Rest in peace king. The king may be gone, but the kingdom will live forever
Going to the hardware store rite now to build my own and use my 3d printer to make molds for things to make from aluminium. Thanks for sharing and as always Keep Building👍
doesnt the filament melt?
@@elijahlowe5254 that's how the molds Are made, the filiment burns away leaving a cavity for the metal.
I had no idea plaster had the insulating or refractory properties necessary for this! Excellent! I'm getting to work so I can cast my own custom motorized bicycle parts!
This is AMAZING. I'm definitely making one
Best tutorial for foundries so far, even if the measuring units are a bit confusing to me.
Very true, but see mine
My son and I built a foundry last month, and he insisted on trying it out one afternoon when the temperature was in the 20s. Needless to say, although it seemed to be eating the cans, no liquid aluminum could be seen. When we finally gave up, the contents of the crucible solidified quickly, and stuck. We tried it again today, with the temps in the 60s, and it worked like a charm! The crucible heated up, and we kept tapping on the metal in it until finally the rebar went right through the slag and into the now melted aluminum. We spent several hours melting cans, and creating little "muffin" ingots, doing three pours and emptying the foundry for new charcoal between each one. The only problem we ran into is we've now lost two lids. Both days, after we let the foundry and lid cool down, when we picked up the lid, it broke into three large pieces, each of which was dry and crumbly. My only guess is that we didn't allow the lids to cure long enough before using them... any ideas?
That's pretty neat!
plaster and sand are not going to hold up for long. Ceramic fiberboard from a pottery supply with a hole cut in the top would be better. this is a great tutorial and fun project but a part like the lid will not last for many firings.
***** I had this problem once in school using plaster and sand as a mold. It happened to the whole class. Even after being very dry (kiln dry) the structure broke down and my aluminum flashed out of the cavity creating a bad casting. The mold got crumbly too. I seem to remember it being a problem with the sand. You might try a higher ratio of plaster, maybe even 100% plaster. You could try adding glass or wire mesh to the mix too. I'm not sure if it will work but it is worth a try.
Add some wires mesh or screws as support for the plaster to grab on to for the lid
I did it too but, with a metal bucket inside. At first I thought I screwed up, but I was very mistaken. I got to the temperature which it was needed to melt cans it worked very well. All the heat was kept inside, and was easier to maintain the temperature. Now for the lid, if you have any ceramic lids that might fit, that's good, or when curing the lid in the midst of curing the lid add more liquid. I don't know if it will work but try!
Me and my brother watched this video and were completely blown away 3 years ago. R.I.P. you're an absolute legend
I love all these clips they're fun and I learned so much
Thank You! You got me an A in my Sculpture class this semester for melting aluminum by myself :) Bc my instructor is ONLY impressed by metals! :) haha
And now he’s gone....................
i love your videos they're just like watching how its made xD
simple but so effective well done and thanks for sharing
Great video. This was the most realistic thing I can actually build. Sweet
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Rest in peace King.
Great project Grant!
Thank you great idea for my simple homestead.
Thank you Dan, the man!
Grant Thompson - "The King of Random" how did you de-pressurize the extinguisher
Grant Thompson - "The King of Random" can you name other metals that it works with?
Any idea how hot it gets?? I'm looking to make something that melts gold...
possibly the 3rd video i have watched from the TKOR. any-who, very interesting, now i can get some plaster and fix the ceiling. . . . and make a unforeseen foundry. awesome video !! 3000 thumbs up !! respect = 100
Nice Work. This reminds me of my Foundry course in secondary High School 1972. I did too similar thing you do. I remember molding coins and placing it in the JUXE- BOX, when it stacked-up in the coin slot inside the music machine, we were free to select and play any songs freely the whole night until the owner noticed that there's something wrong in their music machine.
i love this video so much and i am just finding out about his death and now im really sad and heartbroken
We loved your video! You made it seems sensible and easy. We were delighted to give this a go and we learned a great deal....Molten aluminium is actually very hot. Really. Molten metal poured onto concrete does this interesting "pop" thing that makes you think that safety glasses might have been a really good idea. Also, I am surprised and delighted to discover that I can teleport short distances. Not all fire extinguishers are made of steel.. Crucibles made out of aluminium don't work as well as one might like. Smoke rises and can come out the back of your hair dryer...
+Karen Pasqualucci Not sure what this comment is supposed to say overall but it was fun to read...
you forgot to use a magnet
+Karen Pasqualucci don't worry the molten metal will definitely burn through your glasses
I just made this mini metal forge thanks to the king of randoms video!!! I just need to get a fire extinguisher for the crucible and a bag of briquettes. It costed me about $85 CDN for everything (I had the play sand and hole saws already) can't wait to cast Thor's Storm breaker when it's all ready!!!
Will be making this over the summer. Fly high brother man ❤
Hey everyone, for those who are having troubles finding the "true cost", I had just bought all of the supplies to just make the foundry ALONE. Here is my list and the cost: 10 quart steel bucket - 9.88 1" pvc elbow - .98 2 U-bolt - 3.22 1" 2ft pvc pipe - 2.16 1" 10in. steel nipple(steel pipe) - 5.03 25lb plaster of paris - 10.98 premium play sand - 4.15 total cost: 39.45 Hope this helps!
people from other counties be like: wtf is a 2.5 quart bucket
+indivisual Aka me ;_;
Hikatzura yea... litres is much easier
+indivisual Not for us 'muricans, we're just used to the imperial system.
+GamingTV You should get used to the metric system then
+indivisual you just said it was easier...?
Man, you are amazing! Thank you for teaching us some technology useful skills.
Thank you bro, just what i need it
I’m still sad to this day Rest In Paradise legend
So I leaned a valuable lesson when making mine I used a metal bucket to create the hole in mine took 3 hours to get it out. Still use it today thought I would pass the message on make sure you use a plastic bucket
😂 sorry Jacob, I know it wasn’t meant to be funny...it just made me giggle...I’ll make sure I go with plastic 👍👍🥂
My dad and I are building on right now. Thank you
Your videos were the best and brought entertainment to me in my free time R.I.P
RIP the legend. I hope the hardware store in heaven likes you just as much as your local one did.
Hey Mr. Thompson and everyone, just wanted to warn you all that eye protection is a must when using the foundry, in addition to gloves, and anything else, etc. And also, DO NOT drop in a can that is closed. I tried melting an aluminum soda bottle, and the lid was on it. It blew up due to the gasses trapped inside of the closed bottle, that when heated up, expand, thus causing the explosion. I got molten aluminum on my face and neck. Thank the LORD none got in my eyes. Even though I was just wearing regular eyeglasses, I still could've gone blind. There are marks where the aluminum melted some of the plastic lens.
lol, yeah
I made it and it works perfectly thank you for giving me this idea
This video changed my life. New lifetime hobby. RIP Your Majesty
I love this so much I use it for blacksmithing
So easy it is to make my buds love it
+Silver boy gay
Trans
+Lost In Space Electronics how is that gay?
+Lost In Space Electronics I think he was referring to his kids.
it's sad to see what kind of videos they are making now : (
RIP Grant, inspiration is hard to come by but you were and still are a dang gold mine.
Beautiful Job..Great explanations of each step..Keep it up!